Depression Treatment Approaches
There are several ways to combat depression. Some of the treatment options include:
Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is a means to learn new skills and to find support. It can be done in groups or individual sessions and can include a counselor, social worker, or psychiatrist. Another important part of the treatment is medication.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of psychotherapy that can help reduce the symptoms of depression and mental health conditions. It's based on the belief that emotions, thoughts and behavior are interconnected. Negative or harmful beliefs, thoughts or perceptions can cause anxiety and cause self-defeating behaviors. A therapist can help recognize those negative patterns and help you discover new ways to react in different situations.
A therapist will use interactive questions and answers to discover the source of your emotional problems. They will urge you to be aware of the moments that you feel anxious or depressed and discuss those moments. Together, you'll identify unproductive patterns of thinking, inaccurate perceptions, or behavior that can cause depression and anxiety.
Your therapist can also help you create and implement self-help strategies to help you deal with your concerns now. They are commonly referred to as "cognitive restructuring methods," and include goal-setting and journaling, mindfulness meditation and exposure therapy. Your therapist might suggest that you practice new behavior and coping strategies in controlled, safe environments to help you develop.
CBT has been proven effective in a number of outcomes studies of mental disorders, such as anxiety disorders, depression, and addiction issues. It can be used alone or in conjunction with a psychiatric drug.
Cognitive behavioral therapy requires an openness to change and a commitment to the process. If you're interested in learning more about the benefits of this therapy take a look at speaking with your doctor or a therapist who specializes in CBT. You can also check your health insurance plan to determine whether they will cover these therapies. And if you need financial support there are many online resources to help those with a low income to access mental health care. The first step to recovery and living a healthier life is to get help when you need it.
personalized depression treatment was developed by the late psychiatrist Gerald Klerman, IPT is another form of therapy that focuses on particular issues that can lead to depression. It is based on the notion that depression is a biological predisposition, and that changes in one's social environment can activate it. It also suggests that the interpersonal challenges which trigger depression can be dealt with by dealing with the relationship issues that exacerbate symptoms.
IPT is different from other psychotherapies that focus on the unconscious motives of an individual's behavior or past traumas. This treatment approach recognizes that people suffering from depression have difficulty expressing and coping with emotions like anger and frustration and can affect relationships with family, partners, and friends.
The initial phase of IPT is usually three sessions and is focused on identifying the area of interaction might be contributing to depressive symptoms. Your therapist will request that you examine all your significant relationships both past and present and then categorize them into four possible problem areas such as unresolved grief (often due to the loss of an individual loved one), a role transition, a role dispute, or interpersonal issues.
The middle phase of IPT typically occurs between sessions four and fourteen. Your therapist will employ strategies to tackle the specific problem area. For example your therapist can help you navigate difficult transitions in your relationships, help you to validate and express your anger, or find more effective ways to interact with others.
In the final stage of IPT which typically occurs following session 14 and lasts up to eight weeks Your therapist will assist you identify the techniques you've acquired in treatment that you can use at home. They'll also help you keep in touch with your therapist outside of sessions, like weekly phone calls or monthly face to face meetings to prevent relapse and continue building your skills. Therapists may also suggest sessions to maintain your health for those suffering from mental health issues that are recurring or chronic, such as PTSD.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
DBT is a tried and tested treatment method created by psychologist Marsha Linhan to treat borderline personalities disorder (BPD). The therapy focuses on teaching people how to manage their emotions and behaviors and develop skills that assist people build healthy relationships and manage their distress. DBT is divided up into four stages. The first stage focuses primarily on changing the way you react to situations, such as when you are upset or sad. The second stage assists you to build a sense of emotional regulation, allowing you to tolerate your emotions better. The third stage helps you get the hang of your efforts at change and create an enjoyable life.
The fourth and final phase teaches you how to practice the skills you've learned from therapy on a regular basis, outside of your weekly sessions with your therapist. Your therapist will utilize tools like homework assignments, phone coaching, and other tools to show you how to apply these skills. A DBT-trained therapist will help you realize that your negative feelings and thoughts are normal and not necessarily "wrong". They're a result of experiences you've had in life. They'll also teach you how to balance and unite seemingly incompatible strategies, including acceptance and change.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that DBT is effective for a variety of conditions. For instance, one study evaluated standard DBT to treatment-as-usual in women with BPD and found that patients receiving DBT were significantly less prone to parasuicide behaviors, suicide attempts and psychiatric hospitalizations as compared to those who received the control group. DBT was also associated reduced aggression and improved functioning.
In addition to group and individual therapy sessions, DBT includes practice at home (e.g., by using phone coaching and homework) regularly scheduled meetings with a therapist who's skilled in DBT, and participation in an DBT consultation team. The group is comprised of therapists who meet regularly to discuss the most common clinical issues, such as how to handle suicidal patients or help them maintain their engagement in therapy.
The team meeting is a time when the therapists are encouraged, even in difficult situations, to be kind and nonjudgmental towards their patients. They are also urged and helped to avoid burnout, and are monitored to ensure compliance with DBT procedures.
Medication
Many people suffering from depression find that medication can ease symptoms and aids in recovery. Talk to your doctor about the many options available to you if looking for antidepressants. Every person's body reacts differently to medication, so it may take a while to find the ideal combination of drugs that works for you. Talk to your doctor about changes to your lifestyle such as better sleep or exercise that could aid in overcoming depression.
If your depression isn't responding to treatment or medication you might need to see a specialist, like a psychiatrist. They will examine your medical history and thoroughly examine you. They will be able to test whether there are any medical conditions that could be contributing to your depression, for instance the rheumatoid and hypothyroidism. They can also utilize a tool called pharmacogenetic testing, which can predict the way your body reacts to certain medicines in relation to genetic markers. These tests are not currently covered by insurance.
In certain instances doctors may include a medication in an antidepressant to enhance its effect. This is referred to as an augmentation therapy. The medications such as Aripiprazole (Abilify), brexpiprazole (Rexulti) or quetiapine (Seroquel XR) are FDA-approved for this reason. Some doctors may also prescribe ketamine as an anesthetic drug that can provide quick relief for those suffering from treatment-resistant depression. This procedure is carried out in a hospital or clinic.
Talk therapy is a crucial element of treating depression. However, many people are reluctant to seek help because they believe that the disorder will go away by itself or that therapy is ineffective. Talk therapy can teach you skills and insights that can help speed recovery and stop depression from returning, even if you need to take medication.
Therapy for depression is often utilized in conjunction with other depression treatment options, including lifestyle modifications. It is important to stick to your treatment program and keep up with all therapy sessions, even if you're not feeling depressed. Don't skip medication, either. If you stop taking your medication, your depression will likely return and you may experience withdrawal-like symptoms.